It’s even a more brutal play in the NFL since if anyone tackles the QB, they’ll get an unnecessary roughness penalty or roughing the passer. Then again, if the play is called right it’s a false start or illegal procedure (not sure which). That is an illegal move by the center. As the ball must make a continuous motion forwards to backwards to be deemed a snap. The Snapper is also not allowed to move his head until the ball is away. Another issue is that there would be too many men on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap if the QB moved up next to the snapper during the course of the snap. I’m betting that if they try it in the NFL it will simply be ruled a false start on the QB for too much movement before/during the course of the snap.

I’d enjoy it if it was something new but if you lookup “wrong ball” on youtube you’ll find about 100 more videos that are all the same “awesome” trick play. Hell I saw a team run it at a flag football game once. I don’t like rehash popularity.

This play was actually used by my son’s coach in our championship middle school football game this year. While the play wasn’t exactly like this one it was deemed an illegal snap and the resulting TD was negated. It was an awesome play though, but we didn’t need the TD after all. They won 23-7!

On further research this play isn’t even legal in high school. Sidesnaps were made illegal about 40 years ago. Apparently the play also constitutes a deception penalty caused by a QB speaking directly with his coach. The play is called “wrong ball” and goes like this: After the snap the QB yells to the coach “I’ve got the wrong ball”. The coach then replies “Well bring it here, hurry!” After getting halfway to the sideline the coach tells the player to “go!” The player then runs for it. On any level from HS up (any league with a rulebook), this draws a “deception” penalty. A QB can’t talk to the coach in that way while the game is in progress.